A trust estate



R. E. WEITER.

'SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED IAN. 20,19I9.

Patented Dec. 23,1919.

SvSHEETS-SHEET I.

. nl i R. E; WETTER. sGNAL APPARATUS.

, MPUCATIDI FILfD JAH. 20, |919.

Patented Dec. 23,1919.

j@ Figa?. /5/ ya b wf @mman/hoz R. E. WETER.

SIGNAL' APPARATUS. A PPLlcAldN FILED 1AN.20,1919.

Patented Dec. 23, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH E. WETTER, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL TRAFFIC CONTROL I COMPANY, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, A TRUST ESTATE.

SIGNAL APIPARJVIUS.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Deor23, 1919.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, RALPH E. lllu'rrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the 4county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus, of which the following isa specification.

This invention `relates to signaling apparatuses and particularly to a signal semaphore or target and means for operating and illuminating the same.

The pedestrian as well as the driver oi a motor vehicle is more or less guided by instinct and it is apparent that a particular form of signal semaphore or target which is universal in its application will be more easily observed and obeyed by'both pedestrians and drivers oi" motor vehicles.

.t is the aim of this invention to provide a signaling apparatus employing a particular kind of semaphore or target which may be used as a stationary tratti@ signal or mounted 4on a vehicle or common carrier, the seniaphore in each instance retaining its dominating'features and similarity so that the pedestrians and drivers will recognize the semaphore irrespective ot its application or installation. Thus one will be more easily gnidedhy such a signal and having seen it used as a` tra-flic signal in one locality would readily recognize it and obey it when used as an automobile direction signal in another locality.

l `urthermore the invention seeks to provide a semaphore structure and a generic :torni -ot operating'means which however may lie-set to operate and controlled in various manners. It is also proposed to provide a visual signal in the torni of an electric lamp which has the additional function of illuminating the semaphore. One ot the particular ends sought is simplicity both in operation and construct-ion.

ln carrying out the invention in a broad sense Va. folding semaphore or target is folded into and normally concealed in a housing` but it is within the province of this invention to provide a non-folding semaphore which may be swung` into a housing and' normally concealed. l prefer. however, to employ a. foldingsemaphore comprising a plurality of leaves or sectors arranged to be distended insegmental formation when in operation. It is proposed to support the sectors in folded or normal position within the housing and to .employ a restoring element which after the sectors have been released and distended'or depended maybe operated to swing or fold the sectors up into the housing. lt is obvious that in some instances the restoring element may be used to hold the sectors folded within the housing and when released or operated will permit the sectors to swing downward; whereas in other instances separate means may be employed i'or holding the sect-ors in the housing and releasing them when the signal is to be displayed.

It is obvious that the semaphore may be electrically or manually operated and that the releasing means may be manually or electrically manipulated. An electric lamp maybe mounted in the housniof adJacent the semaphore and controlled by a switch which is automatically closed when the semaphore is released. If desired the electric lamp may be omitted.

The invention will be mon'r readily understood from a reading of the "ollowing specification and byreterence to the accompanying drawings, in which an example oi the invention is illustrated, and wherein- Figure l is a vertical sectional View ot' a signal apparatus showing the invention as applied for stationary traiiic signaling,

lf` 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2 2 ot' Fig. l,

' Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3 3 ot Fig. l,

Fig. -l is a detail vertical sectional View of a manually operated signal apparatus for use on a motor vehicle and the like,

Fig. 4a is a detail ofthe switch and latch,

Fig. 5 is a. detail of the sector restoring means and associated parts, y

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional detail of the same,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the vsectors and their supporting parts,

Fig. 8 is a. vertical sectional view of an electrically operated signal apparatus suitable for use on motor vehicles and the like,

Fig. 9 is a View partially in elevation and partially in section showing another form of structure.

Inthe drawings the numerals 1 and 2 designate the side plates of a signal hanger,

l 'struction which may be' y l ent kinds of signal work, and in.con]unction 4 are disposed between the web plates, said members et terminating in stepped order as is shown in Fig. 6 and indicated by dotted lines in the other figures. A transverse shaft 5 passes through the plates 1 and 2v and 3 in concentric relation. to the segmental portion of the latter. Sectorsor leaves 6 have their inner ends pivoted on the shaft 5 and when released come to rest on the stops Il: whereby they are disposed in segmentalorder or in fan shape, veach sector being disposed between aK pair ot' web plates and maintained in posit-ion thereby. A yoke member comprising side arms 7 is also provided with cross bars 8 and 9 respectively. The arms are pivoted on the sha-ft 5 on the outer sides of the plates 1 Aand 2, which are countersunk to receive said arms and permit the same to swing. The bar 9 passes through arcuate slots 10 in the plates 1 and 2 under the lower edges of the sectors 6, said slots being concentric to the shat't When the sectors 6 swing downward they carryl the bar 9 with them thus swinging the yoke member and consequently by pulling on the bar 8 the bar 9 will be swung upward and in turn swing the sectors 6 upward to their normal position.

It will be seen that the sectors 6 when distended constitute a signal semaphore and the yoke member may be suitably operated to restore the sectors and withdraw the signal. The parts described constitute a generic coninstalled for differwith various other parts it is capable of performing the work wherever placed, and this is one of the very important features of the invention.

A s an illustration of one use of the signal semaphore I have illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 an apparatus constructed to be operatedY at street intersections, railway crossings'and' on other highways for controlling traffic. A suitable pole or other supporting structure 11 .is employed and a laterally directed horizontal housing 12. is mounted on the pole. The housing is open along its bottom and is supported by a bracket 13.

receive the plates l and 2, while a bushing htpassed'through the plates 1, 2 and 3 contacts with the inner sides of the side walls ot the housing, while a bolt 15 passes through the bushing and the side walls-of the housing and receives nuts 16. The bushing 1st is located at the up er end of the structi'ire,`

while a similar b ishing 17 passes through the plates and the stops 4 at the lower portion of the structure, and a bolt 18 passes through the bushing '17 and receives nuts 19.

The housing is made wide enough to snugly agency ofthe The web plates 3 have their' upper ends spaced apart by washers 2() mounted on the bushing 141. It, will be seen that in this way the sectors and their supporting elements are securely fastened in the housing. The sectors and theirsupporting' and operating elements as shown in Figs. 5, G and 7 might be termed the semaphore unit and will be so referred to hereinafter.

In the signal structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the sectors will be rather long and for this reason counter balance weights 2O are added to the arms 7. These weights will assist in swinging the sectors upward when the signal is to be folded or withdrawn into the housing which conceals the sectors. A segmental channel 2l depends from the outer end of thehousing in concentric relal tion to the segment formed by the sectors when the same areI lowered or distendcd. The outer edges of the sectors are received in this channel which. acts as a guide for the same. Transparent plates22 supported by the channel have their upper edges attached to the side walls of the housing and their vertical inner edgessecured to a mounting pla-te 23 fastened on the pole l1. Each sector has its lower outer end supported on a latch 24- which is connected by a link 25 with a bell crank lever 26. The bell crank lever is supported in a bracket 27 mounted on the channel 2l as is shown in Fig. 1, The housing 12 extends beyoiid the outerv edges of the sectors and receives a solenoid 28 with its core 29 disposed downwardly and pivotally connected with the bell crank lever 26 so thart when the solenoid is energized the core 29 is retracted or drawn upward whereby the lever 26 is swung and the parts attached thereto swung outward thus releas-r ingtlie sectors 6 and permitting the same to swing downward.

lVhen the 'sectors 6 swing downward they carry the bar' 9 with them thus s inging the bar 8 and the Weights 20 upwail.I A link 30 depends from the bar and is pi\ otally conneoted to the upper end of the core 31 of a solenoid 32 fastened against the mounting plate 23 resting on the lower end oi.' 'he channel 21.l This solenoidl is inclosed within acasing 33 between the plates 22 and having its u er end extending tp the plates 1 and 2. when the bar 8 is swung upward the core 31 is elevated through the link 30 and thus by energizing the solenoid 32 the core 31 is pulled downward whereby the yoke member is swung and the sectors elevated by the bar 9.

The counter balance weights 20 will assist i. played. It is also obvious that when the sectors are folded up and concealed in the' housin nothing will obstruct a clear view throng i the plates 22 and this will indicate that traiic ma pass,but when the sectors are released 'tie signal will be displayed through the plates in both directions and by aint-ing the sectors with a contrasting and `bright color the signal will be easily obnotify trailic that it. may move.

Aas

'32 the signa-lis wit served. L ,v

This signal apparatus is capable of use in connection .with fthe poles illustrated in my tratlic. signal system application filed November 23, 1918, Serial No. 263,916. In this connection an electric siren` 34 may be mounted in the poleill and electrically connected with a suitable controlling device with which the solenoids 28 and 32 are also f connected. By) this arrangement the soleber 39 of a switch mounted on thel roof o ftheA housing' as shown. The breaker membeapplied in different and usedwherever a. trailic signal is required. 1n Fig. 4 1

have shown the semaphore unit and its ,y l housing 12 secured to amounting plate 5() which may be attached to any support either fixed ormoving, but particular] `to a motor vehicle or common. carrier. his particular forni of signa-l may easily be attached to the wind shield ,of an automobile.

The housing 12 is covered by a. hood 51. The cushion 42 is employed as well as the circuit.

breaking member 39, contact 40 and detent In this form the sectors 6 will 'be compara I.

`tively short'and no supporting devicefor their outer ends will. b e required as the bar 9 willhold them in their elevated position. For locking the yoke member in position a latch lever 54 is mounted on the roof of the housing and has a dog 55 depending in the 4path o'the bar 8.V The latch lever isv piv. oted under the end of a spring leaf 55 which' normally h'olds the lever down so 'that the dog is impinged-by the bar 8 and the sectors retained in the housing. A flexible connection '56 such asa cord is attached-to the free end of the lever 54 and is passed through asleeve 57 which extends through the plate,

50 and support 50l at an elevation higher than the en of the lever 54.v The connect-ion ber`39 is of a resilient nature and is dis-,2' 56 hasa knob 56 on its lower end withposed to engage a contact 40 to close the circult and illuminate the lamps. A detent 41 depends frornthe breaker memberinto the ath of one of the' sectors 6`so that when the atter. is swung up into the housing it will engagesaid detent and raise the member 39 from'the contact 40 thus breaking the circuit to the lamps. -When the sectors are released thc member 39 will be permitted to engage the contact 40, close the circuit and illuminate the lamps. The lamp circuit may .also b connected with a suitable switch are swung up's as to eliminate jar.

- closed parts.

(not shown) for.,V cutting it out during the day-time. A .cushion 42 is attached to the roofof the housing so as to be impinged by the outer endsof the sectors when the `latter A tcl'- minal block 48 may be mounted on the roof of the housing under the hood It is pointed out that the solenoids and thc lamp switch am fully protected from the weather and there is little danger of short circuiting from this cause.- Thc transparent plates 22 admit light but protect the in- A guard 43 extends from the outer end of the housing to the channel -21 thus inclosing the releasing device and pro' tcctin the solenoid 28. As efore stated the semaphore unit may in easy reach of the operator; By grasping the knob 56 and exerting a pull onthe co/nnection 56the lever 54 is'swung upward 'so as to Withdraw the dog 55 from the. path of the, bar 8 wherebylthe .yoke member is freed. thus permitting the sectors 6 to swing downward until they are arrested by the stops 4. Thus toV display the signal it is merely necessary to pull on the connection 56 When the sectors swing downward they carry the bar 9 therewith thus swinging the arms 7 and tho-bar 8. Another flexible connection 58 hayin'g a knob 58 on its end passes through a sleeve 59 in the parts 50 and 50 and is attached to the bar 8. Thus 'when it is desired to restore thc sectors or withdraw the Asigna-l the operator merely has` to pull on the connection 58 whereby thc yoke member is swungand the bar'9 carried upward; the latter.successively engaging the sectors and swinging them into the housing. It is quite important that each connection and its knob be of a distinguishing color from the other-connection and its knob or that the knobshbe distinguished so that the opera-tor may readily select Athe proper knob for the desired operation. As an illustration the releasingknob .56 vmay be red as this color has been more or less associated with signal displaying and the average person would readily select it above other colors. The. knob 58 may be black or any other distinguishiugcolor desired.- It is obvious that the lamp 53 and its connections may be omitted and tliesignal operated without illuiuiL nation, liut the lamp notonly serves to illuminate the sectors butv constitutes a vnight signal in itself.

ln Fig. S l have illustrated still another application of the invention in which certain part-s of both of the forms hereinhet'orc described are used and which are indicated h v the' saine numerals. it vbeing unnecessary to I redescril'ie said parts. ,lu this torni the arms -7 are disposedthe saine as shown in Figs. 1 and 'On the upper end of the coi-e 31 of the solenoid 32, which is the saine; as that ,usedin Fig. 1, .a beveledr lng G0 is provided. Thislug is engaged by a dog o1. fixed on the end of an arm 62 and Jpivoted -on .a .transverse shaft Gtixed in a casinglitf. A spring 65 attached to the arm G2l and 'bearing against-the mounting plate holds the a rin in its elevated lposition and .the dog in thepath of the lug 4GO. This vlocking device'- holds the Kse( tors- 6 elevated within the housing 'through .the agency of the bar 9.- A recasing'tA and said easing is support-ed onV the 'channel 21 between the plates 22. The., solenoid 66 has avei'tical' sliding core 6l' which has its upper end Aconnected by means of a link 68 withthe end ofthe arm 62.

Suitable electric control is provided fr energizing thesolenoid .66, the solenoid 32 re'- m'ainingv dormant. v .lVhen the solenoid 66 is energized its core 67l-is pulled downward thus swinging the arm 62 whereby the -dog 61 is movedoutof the path4 of the, lug'GO. This permits the sectors (3 to swingdownivard by gravity whereby the signal'is displayed.'

lVlien the solenoid 66 is released the spring raises' the arm 62 tliusrestoring the parts to normal position and throwing the dog (il intofthe patlr of the-beveledflug '60 .which is now above the same. .To restoie the signal the solenoid 32 is energized whereby the core 31 is;A pulled-.downward thus swiiiging the bar 9 upward and. swinging the sectors 6 up. into the housing. As the core, 31 is pulled downward the lug 6 0 rides underthe dog'61 thus locking the sectors within thehousing. The ,operationof the' lanjip is the same Aas in the other cases.-

' In Fi'g. 9T have shown stillianlotlienapplication of the semaphore'unit. and this is particularly designed to be used in connec-.' tion withthe signal device forming the siibliect matter of my eci-pending' application In `this instance the arms 7 are disposed-"as used in Fig. 4, except that the li'itcl'i`devic'e'-4 Vand cords arefvomitt/ed.v The housing 'and -means' for restoring the sectors to their lin said structure, web plates vseparating4 the sectors, and stepped .stops in the pat plates, in'conibination witha housing :into

hood 51 are attached to a mounting plate Tt) which is secured to brackctl7 which in turn is fastened on the end ot' a tubular support T2. -\n operating rod Til disposed in tlie tube passes through the bracket T1 and 70 plate T0 and is attached to the bar S and b v displacing the rod T3. the signal device and the bar i) are swung downward and the sectors (3 permitted to tall by gravity.

ll'hen the rod is moved in a reverse direc- 75 tion the bar Ulis swung upward and the sig nal restored.

l desire to particularly impress that the semaphore unit is interchangeable and may lie applied in connection with various strucnion pivot point, means t'or normally hold- 90 'ing the sector in folded position arranged to relcasethe sectors to permit the same to fall, and stops separate from the sectors toi' arresting the same in segmental order.

2; Aseniaphore signal unit comprising 95 the "followingelements: a plurality of separateand disconnected sectors, a support in which the seetors'are mounted on a .common pivot point, means for'normally f holding the' sector i-n folded posit-ion 'arranged to 100 release the. sectors to permit the same to tall` stops separate from the sectors for arresting? the same in. segmental order, and I folded position. 3.-' semaphore signal unit comprising the following'elements: a supportingstrueture, sectors mounted on .a common pivot of the sectors p'ositioned between said-web' which 'the sectors aie normally` folded. l

4. ,A semaphore'signal unit comprising i the-following'elements: a suppoiftmgstifuc- .121-5 ture, sectors mounted `on a common'pi'vot insaid structure, web vplates separating the sectorsa and stepped stops-,inthe path o'f the sectors positioned between .t said web plates,:in combination-with a liousin into 120 whichithesectors are normallyfoldec, a1id l5': 'A semaphoreqsignal unitcomprising. the following lelements a Ysupporting struci..

in combinationw'ith a housing into which. 130

the'seotols are normally folded, an llum-- noting lamp assooiatod with the sector s.

.-A semaphore slgnal unit comprlsmg sectors, and a swinging restoring member including, a qarms and a, Cross' bar cr-V `redby .the adrrns Vand extending under the soif-113m; iS swung upward. l In testimony whereof I my signaturg.

RALPH IE.

v sectors s o'as .to Swing the same upward when 10 

